By DPA,
Helsinki : Finnish flag carrier Finnair Thursday said it planned to cut 500 jobs as part of cost-cutting measures to compensate for soaring fuel prices.
The carrier said fuel prices have “risen throughout the first half of the year at a much faster rate than anticipated”, estimating the 2008 fuel bill will be 160-180 million euros ($248-279 million) higher than in 2007.
While talks with unions were pending, the cuts were likely to include temporary staff and part-time workers as well as lay-offs, Finnair said.
The group has some 9,400 employees.
On Tuesday, Finnair reported a three percent drop in the number of passengers it flew in May compared to the corresponding period in 2007.